Head Lice Pictures Help to Identify Nits

Head lice pictures are creepy, but you should know!

When kids go back to school, they are susceptible to bringing home many different ‘catchy’ ailments of one type or another and head lice is one of them. Having head lice is NOT a result of poor hygiene, so don’t beat yourself up! It’s an extremely contagious condition as the lice easily transport from one person to another. Signs of head lice can be itchy and tiny yellowish-white eggs or lice that look like small sesame seeds attached to the hair.

If you have young children in school or daycare, you probably have received a letter from the school about head lice. Each year as soon as the weather starts to change and through the winter months, the cases of head lice start to appear. I have found it to be more common when children start to wear hats for the winter.

Once the first case of head lice is reported at school, it can spread like wildfire if it is not nipped in the bud right away. Here is how to check your kids for head lice if you have the slightest doubt.

About head lice, it is the active head lice walking around and hosting on the scalp that creates the itching. Often, it starts in the warmer places, behind the ears and the nape area. The active head lice lay eggs that are called nits. The nits attach themselves to the individual hair strands that hatch in 7 to 10 days, producing more active head lice. Here is what you should be looking for:

The nits are protected by a hardened shell around them, meaning head lice products will not penetrate the shell. When a specific product is used, the active head lice will die and the nits will need to be physically removed with a fine tooth comb. It is a tedious process, especially if the hair is thick. The nits are hard to spot, especially on lighter hair. They have a light pearly look and can often appear to look like dandruff in both light and dark hair.

Hair remedies for head lice include the tried and true over-the-counter head lice treatment shampoos like Nix. Nix Complete Lice Treatment System has proven to be the go-to shampoo for head lice for years! After using the shampoo, run a lice comb through your child’s hair to remove any lice or eggs and then be sure to wash all bedding, clothing, hats, etc. in very hot water to make sure you are rid of all the little creatures!

There are many other over-the-counter products for head lice that work quite effectively, as long as the directions are followed. Ask for the advice of your pharmacist, they stay on top of what’s new and what works best. I would not want to be held accountable if their child has an adverse reaction to the head lice product being used. I definitely would guide them in the process to follow to eliminate the little creatures.

Now, if the eggs hatch in 7 to 10 days, the whole process must be repeated to ensure all the nits are gone and there are no longer active head lice. That is the biggest mistake parents often make – not repeating the process and thinking they are all taken care of. BIG MISTAKE!

And parents, please don’t worry that you did something wrong that resulted in head lice on your child! Head lice do not distinguish between rich or poor, clean or not – it does not matter to them – they just want a host! (And I hope these head lice pictures didn’t creep you out too much!)

Hair Oils 101; A Tutorial

It’s Time to Polish Up Your Hair Oil Repertoire

Not too very long ago, the very mention of oils in hair products was unthinkable. Traditionally, oils weren’t considered desirable because they added weight and tackiness. But, professionals see oils very differently now. That’s because there’s an oil boom in the making, as women everywhere are asking for more ways to calm their frizz, while ensuring health and shine. Product companies are answering the call with a plethora of oil options. While the boom is new, oils themselves aren’t. For centuries, women around the globe have used botanical oils to lend their hair healthy sheen and appealing fragrance.

Argania spinosa kernel oil, or Argan oil, has been the superstar, with companies such as Moroccanoil, Agadir, Orofluido and DermOrganic creating entire lines around it. Argan oil is produced from the kernels of the Argan tree, which is indigenous to southwestern Morocco. The oil softens thick, coarse and unruly hair, and brings shine to dull hair. High in vitamin E, Argan oil also provides natural UV protection, which is especially beneficial for color-treated hair, but works on all hair types.

While Argan oils are definitely the most popular in this vast market, many companies have been blending it with other popular, health-boosting ingredients such as pequi and amla oils.

For example, Macadamia Natural Oil combines Argan with macadamia seed oils. The matching of these two oils, the performance of the product is unparalleled as far as the absorbency and as far as the great benefits. The combination of the two oils gives hair elasticity which prevents breakage and split ends.

Although many women expect hair oils to leave a greasy residue, these oils can actually have the opposite effect, even with daily use. Many women who have finer hair will typically have an oilier scalp this helps even out the porosity in the hair. The oils also help speed up blow-drying time, similar to the way oil and water separate.

When combined with an oil, certain extracts like aloe vera, which is said to heal minor skin injuries, can help repair a scalp that’s been damaged by chemical processing. If your scalp is on the dry side, most of the time, you need to have a combination of natural and synthetic materials.

Botanicals have been around for a long time and as hair styles have changed, things become sort of cyclical. Botanical oils are gaining popularity among health-conscious consumers who have been pushing the envelope toward natural ingredients in food, personal care, and health.

One of the pioneers in the oil boom is Moroccanoil, which introduced its signature Moroccanoil three years ago. Driven bv the success of the initial products, the company has introduced new products ever since.

The popularity of the Moroccanoil products was especially evident among curly head women and the hair stylists who use the products. As a result the company answered the demand with several curl-specific products containing its argan oil. The line now boasts a curl-defining mousse, curl control cream and intense curl cream. Moroccanoil infuses their argan oil with vitamin A, E and F to protect against free-radicals.

What makes the Moroccanoil curl line so unique is that the formulas work on dry and wet hair. These formulations not only make styling easier, but they also decrease fizz, make curls more manageable, and restore moisture to the hair.

Now there are a number of great oils available, including: Mizani Supreme Oil; Oscar Blandi products with jasmine oil; Oribe Haircare’s oil-infused products; and Alterna’s Bamboo Smooth Kendi Oil.

Oils and Their Benefits

Abyssinian Oil is a natural vegetable oil that contains a high percentage of unsaturated C22 fatty acids and produces a natural radiant luster. It will form a light continuous lipid layer to help detangle the hair and lock in essential moisture.

Amla Oil is considered one of the world’s oldest natural hair conditioners is marketed to stimulate hair growth and pigmentation and prevent premature graying of hair and dandruff, while increasing the strength of your hair follicles.

Argan Oil hydrates the hair, penetrating into the hair shaft and enhancing elasticity. It is especially good for uncontrollable and, unmanageable hair, restoring and repairing damage.

Avocado Oil is a perfect oil or dry hair and is full of vitamins such as A, E. D and potassium. This oil is typically added to other carrier oils for a deep treatment.

Castor Oil is rich in ricinoleic acid {triglyceride of fatty acid), and is marketed as nourishing to the hair and good for preventing a dry scalp. When added to hair care products, castor oil can seal in moisture, as well as and thicken hair.

Coconut Oil helps in the lubrication of the hair. It hair and conditions the scalp, and provides the essential proteins for nourishing damaged hair. Also good for dandruff.

How to Get Rid of Frizzy Hair

13 Things About How to Get Rid of Frizzy Hair Your Mom Never Told You About

As the indoor forced air heat days approach, so does the dry air triggering our hair to become uncontrollable and seemingly impossible to maintain. But don’t worry, it’s possible to turn those frizzy hair curls into beachy waves, or the “frizzy-ness” into a more sleek and smooth look. This is a common concern my clients have in the heat of the cold air of fall and winter and I’m excited to share these tips. Here are some simple steps to follow to say “goodbye” to frizzy hair.

Shampoo

Don’t wash your hair every day. Only wash it every couple of days to keep its natural oils. Learn how to create some second day hair looks.

Use a moisturizing shampoo which is low in alkaline. High alkaline shampoo tends to dry out your hair.

Conditioner

Always, always, always use conditioner.

If you have fine or thin hair use a volumizing conditioner.

Use only a small amount on the ends and work it through your hair.

For all hair types, use a leave-in conditioner. This will help control your “flyaways” and protect your hair from heat.

Good Maintenance Routine

Everyone’s hair is different. After a couple of applications you will know how much product is right for you. But remember, less is more! You can always add more product, but using too much can cause your hair to look and feel oily.

Apply these products while your hair is still wet.

Emulsify a dime size amount of product in your hands to get an even application. Repeat till proper amount is achieved.

Hot Styling Tools

If letting your hair air-dry doesn’t work for you, or you just want a smoother look, use hot tools.

Hot flat irons are great to tame down summer frizzy hair.

The hotter and more powerful the blow dryer, the better it is at smoothing your hair. The high heat will help make your hair smooth and shiny.

Moroccanoil to Balance Hair Moisture to Tame Friz

I have discovered one universal truth: How a woman feels about herself inextricably linked to how she feels about her hair. I’ve found that incorporating simple, effective products like Moroccanoil Frizz Control, into a woman’s routine is an effortless way to lift her spirits.

No type of hair—healthy or dry, curly or straight—is immune to frizz. Humidity, over-processing and excessive brushing, combing or heat styling can cause the hair cuticle to open giving your cuticles a rough surface. The only way to quiet frizz and return hair to its optimal health is to seal those cuticles.

Creating head turning hairstyles is simple. First, be sure to wash and condition with moisturizing, frizz-taming products like Moroccanoil Moisture Repair Shampoo and Conditìoner (other shampoos can be harsh and chemical-laden which further dehydrates hair and actually causes frizz). Then, apply a small amount of Moroccanoil Treatment to-clean, towel-dried hair. Blow-dry to remove excess moisture. Spray 3—5 pumps of Frizz Control approximately 10 inches from damp hair and comb through. Separate the hair into clean sections. Using a large round brush, blow-dry each section straight, from roots to ends.

To create a bit of volume at the crown, lift the top section and apply heat to the roots. For hair that will get noticed, part hair down the middle and finish with a few drops of Moroccanoil Treatment for added shine – and protection.